Julie’s breast cancer mission

Kate Mason

When 36-year-old Julie Lindley was diagnosed with breast cancer, her world came crashing down.

But rather than focus on her own struggle, the Doncaster woman turned her attention to raising awareness of the importance of a screening programme in a bid to help other women.

If I can prompt just one person to be proactive and get checked out I’ll know this will have been worthwhile

julie Lindley

Julie, of Thorne, said: “When I was diagnosed with breast cancer it was one of the worst days of my life – but I decided that I would try and get something positive out of it.

“I announced my news on Facebook and urged people to check themselves and to highlight that this happens to younger people too.

“It’s so important that people know the signs of and symptoms of cancer and that women in Doncaster go to screenings and catch the illness as soon as possible.

“If I can prompt just one person to be proactive and get checked out, I’ll know all of this will have been worthwhile.”

As well as raising awareness, Julie has also thrown herself into raising funds for Cancer Research UK.

Close friend Liz Leggott, practice manager at the Auckley Surgery, was one of the people Julie initially confided in about her illness and she immediately took up Julie’s challenge of raising awareness of the cancer.

Liz decided to participate in Race for Life, a 5k run on Town Fields, on behalf of Julie and Cancer Research UK.

Unfortunately, before she could take part in the run, the practice manager was diagnosed with a heart condition and underwent surgery to have a pacemaker fitted.

Last-minute hero Lisa Thomas stepped in to champion Julie’s cause and completed the fun-run in just 36 minutes, raising almost £500 in the process.

A whole host of other fundraising activities are now in the pipeline including a charity head shave and Pretty Mudder, a 5k obstacle challenge.

Julie said: “Although it’s been a challenging couple of months, it’s fantastic to see my friends come together to raise awareness and do something amazing for Cancer Research.

“It’s so important that people know the signs of and symptoms of cancer and that women in Doncaster go to screening and catch the illness as soon as possible.

“We all hope that our combined efforts will not only raise money but raise awareness that this disease does not discriminate and affects all ages.”